27 Of The Best Things To Do In Southern California This Weekend

'Dogumenta' is an art show designed specifically for dogs. Their humans can come, too. (Photo: Adi Shniderman)

From a cabaret with Muay Thai boxing and goats, to a tortilla battle, to a water lantern festival, to a Mexican Independence Day parade, to the never-before-seen plays of William Saroyan, this weekend's got culture and eats and wackiness oozing out of every pore. Yeah, we like to mix our metaphors.

FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, SEPT. 14 - 16 and 21 - 23; 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.dOGUMENTAUpper Plaza at FIGat7th — 735 S. Figueroa St., downtown L.A.This art exhibition is designed for canines, with works by L.A.-based artists Meena Khalili, Janne Larsen and Joshua Levine. Four-legged guests are welcome to do their thing: sniff, pee and or nibble on the interactive exhibitions. One dog per person and that dog must be on a leash and well-behaved with other dogs. There are dog adoptions both Sundays of the pop-up and a "yappy hour" on Friday, Sept. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.COST: FREE, but RSVPs encouraged; MORE INFO

Stay hydrated, bro! A horror movie fan sips water at the annual Midsummer Scream Horror Convention in Long Beach, California, on July 29, 2018. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP)

Solvang turns into a party town this weekend for Solvang Danish Days (and to celebrate its cultural heritage and history). (Photo by Prayitno/Flickr)

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14 - SUNDAY, SEPT. 16Solvang Danish DaysVarious locations in SolvangIf you're in the mood for a day trip, head to the Santa Ynez Valley for a celebration of the Solvang's Danish heritage. Sure, it's a little kitschy but two words make it worth the drive: aebleskiver breakfasts ($7 - $8). The pancake balls, served with jelly and powdered sugar, are a delight. Trust us. The weekend also features parades, folk dancers and Danish musicians performing all over town.COST: FREE - $55; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14Hello Kitty Grand Cafe OpeningIrvine Spectrum — 670 Spectrum Center Dr., IrvineSanrio's beloved cat gets her own cafe with grab-and-go and menu options served all day. The Bow Room inside the cafe offers a reservation-only afternoon tea and, for those 21+, a bar program after 5 p.m. Some of the cocktails have a Hello Kitty twist, such as the "You Had Me at Hello" (Cachaca, aperol, lemon, sherry and pineapple, $21) and the "Matcha Matcha" (Japanese whiskey, yogurt, matcha, yuzu, $15).COST: Prices vary; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14; 6 - 10:30 p.m.Roaring Nights Los Angeles Zoo — 5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park Party like it's 1988 at the final installment of the L.A. Zoo's adults-only summer series.DJ Richard Blade spins his favorite tunes at the "'80s Night Encore" and the band Flashback Heart Attack plays live. Dance at the Silent Disco or indulge in adult beverages and food truck fare, available for purchase. Arrive on the early side to experience curated animal encounters, play lawn games and view animal-inspired artworks. This event is 21+.COST: $16 - $21; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7; 1 p.m.John CarpenterBook Soup — 8818 Sunset Blvd. West HollywoodThe director presents and signs his "Big Trouble in Little China" comic collection, which he co-wrote with Anthony Burch ("Borderlands 2") featuring illustrations by Jorge Corona. The book is an authorized sequel to Carpenter's hit film, "Big Trouble in Little China." You'll have to buy the book at Book Soup in order to get it signed by the authors, and Carpenter will sign two additional items. No photos. COST: FREE - $16.99; MORE INFO

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14; 8 p.m.Under the Oaks 2018Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum — 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga The performance series presents a mix of concert and film music every Friday in September. Next up is composer Rolfe Kent's "The Concert Goes Awry" featuring music from "Dexter," "Sideways" and "Up in the Air" as well as a guided singing experiment with the audience. Kent will direct the audience as they perform colorful melodies, which will be recorded and looped for use later in the show. COST: FREE - $25; MORE INFO

'Beautiful - The Carole King Musical' opens for a limited run at the Hollywood Pantages. (Image: Matthew Murphy)

THROUGH SEPT. 30Beautiful - The Carole King Musical The Pantages Theatre — 6233 Hollywood Blvd., HollywoodDouglas McGrath wrote the book for this jukebox musical that tells the story of songwriter Carole King's early life. The show covers her days as part of a hit songwriting team, with her husband Gerry Goffin, as well as her successful solo career. Sarah Bockel stars in the titular role.COST: Tickets start at $35+ fees; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 7 p.m.Los Tigres del NorteThe Hollywood Bowl — 2301 N. Highland Ave., HollywoodWith 37 million albums sold, Los Tigres may be the most popular and succesful Latin music act in the world. This weekend, they also become the first norteño act to headline the Bowl. It couldn't happen on a more fitting night, the night before Mexican Independence Day. They'll bring their guitars, accordions and evocative story songs to a show where they'll alos perform with the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.COST: $20-150; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 5 - 10:30 p.m.El Grito Arts and Music FestivalL.A. City Hall — 2200 N. Spring St., downtown L.A.Los Tucanes de Tijuana headline this festival that kicks off Latino Heritage Month (which runs Sep. 15 - Oct. 15) while celebrating the Independence Days of Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. At 9 p.m., officials from the city of L.A. and from Mexico will re-enact the historic Cry of Dolores and ringing of the bell.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

American novelist and playwright, William Saroyan, circa 1960. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 7 p.m.William Saroyan: The Unpublished Plays in PerformanceLos Angeles Public Library — 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, downtown L.A. The Armenian-American playwright and novelist is best known for works like "The Time of Your Life" and "The Human Comedy." The Library's "L.A. Made" series explores William Saroyan's lesser known dramas, presenting the world premiere of never-before-staged scenes from "The Armenian Play (or Opera)," "Home to Hayastan" and "Ouzenk Chouzenk Hai Yenk" ("Like It or Not, We're Armenians," which explore themes of immigrant life, genocide and repatriation. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. A reception follows.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The Water Lantern Festival comes to Whittier Narrows for two nights this weekend. (Image: Courtesy of the Water Lantern Festival/Facebook)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15 - SUNDAY, SEPT. 16; 5 - 10 p.m.Water Lantern FestivalWhittier Narrows, Legg Lake — 750 S. Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte The festival brings people together for a celebration of life, light and community. Food trucks and music entertain guests early in the evening. Lantern-decoration beginning at 7:30 p.m. Then the launch of the lanterns takes place from 8 to 9 p.m. Festival organizers are dedicated to environmental sustainability and will pick up trash, rice-paper and wood lanterns after the event. Tickets still available for Sunday. COST: $35 - $40; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 6 p.m.VagabonThe Getty Center — Getty Center Dr. and Sepulveda Blvd., BrentwoodLaetitia Tamko's indie pop project closes out the Off the 405 summer concert series. The music of the New York-based (by way of Cameroon) artist is inspired by her cultural duality and engineering background. She blends West- and East-African music with punk and electronic sounds. Nicole Miglis of Hundred Waters DJs an opening set. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 - SATURDAY, SEPT. 29LizzieResident — 428 S. Hewitt St., downtown L.A.The Color and Light Theatre Ensemble presents Lizzie Borden's story — with music. In 1892, Borden was accused of hacking her parents to death with an axe. Writers Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Alan Stevens Hewitt and Tim Maner turn her story and trial into modern musical theater set to a soundtrack of rock, heavy metal and riot grrrl punk. COST: $30; MORE INFO

Band of Vices opens the art exhibition, 'You Is Pretty!,' a solo show of works by Chelle Barbour. (Image: 'Bulbous Dreams,' courtesy of the artist and gallery)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 6 - 10 p.m.You Is Pretty! Opening ReceptionBand of Vices Gallery — 5376 W. Adams Blvd., West AdamsArtist Chelle Barbour debuts a surreal photo collage series in her first solo show, which was co-curated by actor Angela Bassett. Barbour's work "reconfigures and empowers the black female imaginary" through the use of photos found in books, magazines and other materials. The show will remain on view through Oct. 13 and an artist talk is slated for Oct. 6 at 4 p.m.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 3 - 10 p.m.Open Arts and Music Festival Alex Theatre — 216 N. Brand Blvd., GlendaleThe festival takes over the city block in front of the theater, with an artist market, workshops, kid activities, public art installations and a 21+ craft beer garden curated by Brewyard Brewery. The lineup of live music includes Allah-Las, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Jesse Jo Stark, La Chamba, Thumpasaurus and The Altons. COST: FREE; MORE INFO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15; 12 - 4 p.m.9th Annual Orange County Brew Ha HaLakeview Park — 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd., SilveradoFestival tickets include unlimited tastings of more than 100 craft and imported beers (among them Barley Forge, Bootleggers Brewery, Lost Winds and Tustin Brewing), craft beer seminars, games and live music by yacht rock cover band Captain's Quarters. Food is sold separately. Leave the kids and dogs at home as this festival is strictly 21+.COST: $45 - $60+ fees; $25 for designated drivers; MORE INFO

A woman makes tortillas with three kinds of dough made with red corn, white corn and prickly pear, at the Mole Fair in San Pedro Atocpan, Milpa Alta Borough, Mexico on October 5, 2016. (Photo by OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16; 3 - 7 p.m. Gustavo's Great Tortilla TournamentLA River Center and Gardens — 570 W. Ave. 26 #100, Cypress ParkThe winner of the Golden Tortilla — earning the title of the best tortillas in Los Angeles — comes down to the Fuerte Four: Kernel of Truth, Taco Maria, Burritos La Palma and Sonoratown. Gustavo Arellano and "Good Food" host Evan Kleiman from radio station KCRW host the battle that will answer the age-old question: corn or flour? Throughout the event, there will also be food vendors, margarita and michelada bars, and tortilla tastings, a tortilla art station, live demos and music. RSVP for entry although admission is not guaranteed.COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A man in a car decorated with an American flag drives by past El Centavito Market in East Los Angeles during a parade celebrating the Mexican Independence Day on September 7, 2003. (Photo by HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images)

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